Brace



Dec. 3, 1946. H. c. BOONE 2,412,075

BRACE Filed July 18, 1944 2 sheets-sheet i X, a NR@ A LLW .3,34% VZ-M- Dec. 3, 1946. f H, Q BOONE 2,412,075

BRACE Filed July 18,4 1944 v2 sheets-sheet 2 Srl/UWM ./7//3 www@ Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Harry Cleon Boone, Lubbock, Tex. Application July 18, 1944; Serial No. 545,477

This invention relates to braces for holding and supporting the body of a person having back or other injuries, and is particularlydirected to forms of braces for use in connection with back injuries.

IIt has been found that the braces shown in this application support theV back adequately while they are at the same time comfortable in use and allow adequate freedom for breathing and other necessary bodily actions.

While a plaster cast completely surrounding the body initially forms a satisfactory brace, so far as support for the body and the back-bone is concerned, yet it is uncomfortable and inconvenient because of the failure to provide for the necessity for breathing, eating, etc. Moreover, by reason of the movement of the cast caused by breathing, eating, etc., it becomes loose after a time and does not form a proper support.

One of the objects therefore of the present invention is the provision of a satisfactory body brace of sufficiently strong and rigid construction to support an injured back adequately and for a suicient length of time, which brace is, nevertheless, so formed that it is comfortable in use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a metal body brace covered with a softer material and having openings formed at appropriate places.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a metal frame covered with a softer material, which softer material is formed with extensions for securing the unit about the body of the wearer.

One feature of the invention is the provision of a steel frame formed with upper and lower openings through which the body extends, and with front and rear openings for the purpose of comfort, which steel frame is provided with a leather covering securely holding the metal frame in position and eliminating discomfort in the use of such brace.

A further feature of the invention is-the provision of a steel frame having appropriate openings, having a leather cover and having leather straps secured to said cover and arranged to secure the brace to the body of the user.

Further objects and features of the invention may be seen from a study of the accompanying specication and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of one of my improved braces, shown in place on a portion of the body of the wearer (such portion of the body being shown in outline) and having por- 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-44) `a modified form of my invention;

tions broken away and sectioned to disclose "more adequately the construction of the brace;A

Figure 2 is a plan view having portions broken away and portions shown in section;

Figure 3 is a view in elevation having a portion broken away and a portion shown in section'.

Figure 4 is a view in front elevation showing Figure 5 is a View in plan of the lstructure Figure 6 is a view in side elevation ofthe modication shown in Figure 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, it may be seen that I have shown in Figure 1 a brace I I fitted on a. body I2 and formed substantially as a portion of a cylinder, but having openings above and below through which the body I2 may extend, and also having opening I3 in the rear end and opening I4 in front, for comfort of the wearer. While the cylinder is, except for said opening I3, 'complete in the rear and on both sides, in the front there is a break across which tabs I5, I6, I1 and I8, extend toward each other, but do not contact normally with each other when the brace is worn. That is, the brace is an incomplete cylinder with a space in the front thereof. The tabs I5 and I6 are arranged to be secured together by a strap I9 and the tabs Il and I8 are similarly arranged to be secured together by a strap 2I.

Referring more specifically to the construction The straps I9 and 2I are secured by stitchingsl 21 and the buckles 28 and 29 are similarlyl stitched to the 'tabs I5 and I1.

I have found that a cloth covering is not satisfactory because it will give and also is objectionable for sanitary reasons. I therefore use leather as a cover for .the steel plate.

In the modification shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the brace I I I is similarly provided with upper and lower openings through which the body may protrude, and with a rear opening IIB and a forward opening II4 and similarly has a metal sheet |22 and leather covering I 23 comprising sheets |24 and |25. It is provided with straps |19 and |20 and buckles |28 and |29, and is stitched similarly to the preferred embodiment as shown at |26.

It is also provided with upwardly extending projections |3|, |32, |33 and |34, which extend above .the level. of the arm-pits and provide braces for upper portions of the body where such support is necessary. This embodiment of my inven- ,tion is constructelfespeciallyV for vcases where there are breaks in 'theback-bone in the upper part of the back of the wearer.

In putting on and adjusting for the wearer a 4 brace constructed according to my invention, the straps I9 and 20 (or ||9 and |20) are released from the buckles 28 and 29 (or |28 and |29) and the brace is put around the body in a manner l y similar to the usual manner of putting on, a belt, the natural spring of the steel plate allowing the front tabs to be separated farther while the brace is positioned. Thereafter .the straps are reinserted in the buckles and tightened and the brace then forms a perfect support for the body. At

the same time the wearer, because of the openings in front and rear ofthe brace, may breathe normally and naturally and similarly, because of said openings, the distentio-n of the stomach after eating does not affect the t .of the brace. l It is to be understood that the above described embodiments of my invention are for the purpose of illustrationonly, and'various changes 4. may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined 'oy the following claims.

I claim:

1. Foruse in supporting the body of a person having injuries to his back, a brace comprising a metal sheet bent substantially in the form of a disconnected cylinder, provided with projections atthe disconnected portion extending toward each other and with strapsconnecting such projections, formed with openingsvfrontand rear whereby the wearer may breathe and eat normally without destroying the bracing effect of the brace, and also provided with two upstanding tabs in the front one on each side and with two upstanding tabs in the rear one on each side for sup-porting the shoulders above the level of tthe arm-pits.

2. A Itorso engaging brace comprising a generally cylindrical metal sheet interrupted in front and provided with vertically spaced upper and lower integral projections extending toward one another at the interruption, and fiexible means connecting the projections to form a unitary structure, .the back engaging portion 'of said sheet having an opening therein and said projections and nexible'means dening an opening inthe front of the structure whereby lthe wearer may breathe and eat normally while wearing the brace.

HARRY CLEON BOONE. 

